About

About

OnDeck Measurements (ODM®), The Unequivocal Leader in Softball Tests and Measurements, created at the request of the College Coaching Community a series of tests that objectively measures an Athlete’s Physical Abilities and Potential.

College recruiters use these ODM® numbers to more completely evaluate a player during the recruiting process.

What we test:

ODM® 10-20-40 Yard Sprint
The 10-20-40 yard dash is the most recognized event on the ODM® docket. It is a simple straight-forward sprint. It’s all about speed and explosion. The athletes are timed at 10, 20 and 40-yard intervals for a single sprint. The numbers indicate an athlete’s explosion from a static start. Obviously, that first step – the 10 yard time – is critical, and the ability to explode initially is key to any athletic endeavor. The 20 yard sprint is the distance from home to 1B. The 40 is indicative of both speed and core strength. Going to 2nd base for a double, or scoring from 2nd base is the same as a 40 yard dash – just without the turn.

ODM® 5-10-5 Shuttle Run
The 5-10-5 shuttle is one of the most important tests in the ODM® arsenal. It tests the athlete’s lateral quickness and explosion – key ingredients to most softball activity, such as getting out of the box, covering laterally on defense in the infield, executing the first vital drop step in the outfield. The athlete assumes an athletic stance breaking the beam of the laser. She explodes out 5 yards to right side, touches the line and goes back 10 yards through the beam again. With her hand, she touches the second line, pivots, and runs 5 more yards through the beam where she finishes.

ODM® Bat Speed – Zepp Metric

Bat Speed is measured by using the Zepp sensor – the most sophisticated Bat Speed sensor on the market. Bat speed is a critical component of good hitting for two reasons. First, science has proven that an increase of 1 MPH of bat speed can result in hitting a ball 5 additional feet. Secondly, being able to delay the swing as long as possible for pitch recognition is good.

ODM® Hand Speed – Zepp Metric

Hand Speed, also a Zepp Metric, is the measure in MPH of the maximum velocity the bottom hand on the bat travels during the swing. You want your hands to be going faster than your barrel at the start of your swing. Your bottom hand should reach maximum velocity right before your top hand releases the barrel to the ball. Quick hands allow a player to generate more bat speed and allow that player to wait on a pitch for a longer period of time.

ODM® Time to Impact – Zepp Metric

Time to Impact, the final Zepp Metric, is the amount of time (in seconds) from the start of the downswing until impact of the bat with the ball. The closer to ZERO your swing is, the quicker your bat is to the ball. The faster the time to impact, the longer the hitter can wait to start the swing. Time to Impact also measures how short a player’s swing is. Time to Impact measures their coordination of both their hand and the bat barrel to maximize swing efficiency to the ball.

ODM® Ball Exit Speed

The Ball Exit Speed is the most critical number for a hitter. The Exit Speed determines how far a ball will travel. Other swing metrics are utilized to maximize the ball exit speed. Ball Exit Speed is a direct measure of the power of the ball leaving the bat. A ball exit speed that matches or exceeds the bat speed indicates a well struck ball, strength and power at the moment of impact, and proper swing mechanics.

ODM® Throw Velocity

The Throw Velocity of a player is the measured ball velocity as the ball leaves the player’s hand. Maximum Throw Velocity is achieved immediately following the release of the ball. The ability of a player to throw the ball al a high velocity is important for making the plays necessary for success. This is particularly true for all outfielders, catchers, and infielders making other than routine plays.

ODM® Grip Strength

Grip Strength is very important for every player. It is measured in both hands by a medical dynamometer. Grip strength is obviously very important for every pitcher. Grip strength is also very important for every hitter. The strength of the lower hand in the hitting motion allows the hitter more easily to control the weight of the bat. The ability to control a heavier bat allows the hitter to create more Ball Exit Speed and thus create more power and distance.